Wallace making most of his latest Astros audition

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MILWAUKEE — If this is an audition, Brett Wallace doesn’t want to see the judges or even know they’re around. But if this is an audition, the judges are preparing high marks so far.

As 2012 quickly became yet another test for who can be part of the Astros when they finally turn the corner, that extended tryout started a little late for Wallace. He remained in the minor leagues long after the Carlos Lee trade as other corner infielders were showcased ahead of the trade deadline.

Then in his third game back, Wednesday’s 13-4 loss to Milwaukee, Wallace wowed observers with a monstrous home run to right-center and another impressive shot to left-center, raising his average to .333 and his slugging percentage to a stout .646 in his 14 games. That includes 11 when he filled in for an injured Lee earlier in the season.

“Ever since he signed, everybody felt he was going to have some pop,” said manager Brad Mills of Wallace, who has 20 home runs between Class AAA (16) and the major leagues (four) in 100 games.

“We saw it last time he was up here the way he started to swing the bat. He continued to swing the bat like that in Oklahoma City, and now it’s great to see him put those at-bats together and hit the ball like he did.”

An option at 3rd or DH

Wallace recognized the opportunity to maintain a home here after a minor league career that saw him traded three times and an up-and-down big league stint that featured a .248 average and .354 slugging percentage. However, if this is an audition, Wallace doesn’t want to see it that way.

“I just take it as a challenge for myself,” he said. “You can’t worry about down the road or your spot or what they’re thinking for the lineup. You’ve just got to work hard every day and keep getting better, and if I keep doing that — if I play well and keep getting better and keep playing aggressive — it’s going to be hard to not have a spot.”

Especially because the spots have multiplied — at least twofold and, one could argue, threefold.

First of all, Wallace has introduced third base — his position as an amateur and a young minor leaguer — into his repertoire. However, the Astros are hesitant to put him there, favoring instead Scott Moore or Matt Downs at the hot corner and Wallace at first base.

More importantly, next year’s move to the American League will be accompanied by a designated hitter, leaving another landing spot for Wallace or whoever might have otherwise challenged for time at first base.

His bat will have to carry a corner, because there is little defensive value there and obviously none at DH.

The bat has been a constant focus for the extremely patient hitter, who has tried to become more aggressive with an approach of more than 4.1 pitches per plate appearance (MLB average: 3.8) hardly paying off early in his big league career.

“We worked on a lot of things mechanically in spring and in the beginning of the season and continue to develop my mechanics in staying through balls and being aggressive,” Wallace said. “Being in better shape allows me to repeat my mechanics easier. It’s something we worked hard on — being able to get my back side through the ball — and now that I’m in better shape, I think I can just repeat it easier.”

Weight loss helps

Wallace estimated he’s down 35 pounds — to 225 — from a peak of 260 last year. Most of the weight loss was from winter sessions with strength and conditioning coach Dr. Gene Coleman, though some came in the heat of Oklahoma City.

“It was a little bit of everything,” Wallace said. “I was in Houston in the offseason working with Doc, and he puts us through really, really hard workouts. And it was just staying committed to a diet and the program just to be getting my running in, getting my ground balls in and eating well throughout the day.

“If you stay disciplined, you get good results.”

And maybe a starting spot on the 2013 team, regardless of whether Wallace wants to think about it.

Power source
Brett Wallace is one of five players in the Astros organization with 20 or more home runs this season:
Name Level HR
Mike Hessman AAA 28
Telvin Nash A+ 23
Bob. Borchering AA/A+ 21*
George Springer A+ 21
Brett Wallace MLB/AAA 20
*— includes time with Diamondbacks organization before arriving in Chris Johnson trade